Cigar lighter



Patented Oct. 27, 1942 .l l

Herbert G. Lehmann,

Bridgeport, Conn., assigno'r to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application December 28, 1937', Serial No. 18230614 (Cl. 21g-32) 18 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters and more particularly to the type adapted to be mounted on dashboardsof automobiles or the like.

In some of the current lighters of this type, means are provided for controlling the temperature of the heating element and for preventing the same from burning out through misuse. These means usually comprise a heat-responsive means separate from the heating element but in heat-conducting relation therewith so that when the heating element attains its predetermined temperature the heat-responsive means will operate to open the circuit'.

With said construction, there is a danger that k the heat-responsive element will not operate at the desired' temperature of the heating element due to the fact that the heating surface of the heating element may be dirty because of burnt tobacco and other matter clinging thereto and to heat losses present in the transfer of heat from the heating element to the heat-responsive means.

The use of a separate heat-responsive means, which adds additional elements to the device, makes it more expensive to manufacture and more diilicult to keep in accurate adjustment in use.

The present invention eliminates the use of this additional means by having the heating element so constructed and arranged that it itself functions as the heat-responsive means to control the circuit through it when it has acquired its predetermined heat.

The heating element, in the pref-erred form, comprises a spiral coil of resistance material adapted to be connected in a circuit to be energized and brought to the desired heat and incandescence for use. The material of the heating coil can be of heavy stock resistance wire or bimetallic material, which, upon being heated, will have sufiicient distortion or longitudinal eX- pansion which can be used to operate a switch or other means for opening the circuit;

When a bimetallic heating element is used, it can have one end secured to the usual contact cup and the other end movably mounted so that as the bimetallic element straightens out, upon being heated, it will cause a switch contact to be moved into open-circuit position.

The bimetallic element, in another form of the invention, can be conned by a wall of insulating material so that, upon being heated, its movement will be limited to a longitudinal Shifting movement. This longitudinal shifting movement is utilized to operate a switch to open the circuit. I y

In still another formof the invention, the heating element is made of heavy resistance material and is engaged by a wall of insulating material supported in the Contact cup by tongues lanced therefrom. The wall of insulating materialconiines the coil from radial distortion and limits it to longitudinal movement for actuating the switch.

The preferred form of switch used with the present invention is entirely enclosed. The contactsv are normally" slightly biased to closed positionv and are operated through a leverage system for increasing the' amplitude of movement of the end f the heating element so that small movements at this point Will be transformed into larger movements at the Contact to insure quick opening of the circuit.

Irrespective of the type 0f material used for the heating' element, the meansA for mounting the same may be provided with openings through which the light emitted from the heating element, when' the.' latter becomes incandescent, can pass and be transmitted through a suitable lens in the igniting unit to indicate that the heating element has attained its required degree `of incandescence or temperature and isr ready for use.

As soon as the heating element is placed iny the energizing circuit, the heating coil, because of its low resistance, will heat up substantially instantaneously and, upon being heated, will expand sothat it's movable end moves. When the heating element has' acquired its predetermined heat,r the Contact which is connected to the movable end will' have movedv sufficiently to open the circuit. In this way, the-problem of heat transfer to thel heat-responsive means is entirely avoided since the heating element controls the opening of the circuit directly.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification wheny taken in connection with theA drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a view of the igniting unitin inoperative positionV with the holder in section.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along line 2 2' of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 isa section taken along line 3`3 of Fig. 2 with the heating element in unenergized' position.

Fig'. 4 is a sectional View taken along line 4-4 ofFig; 2 showing the contact' when the heating element isunenergiz'ed'.V

Fig; 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 34

showing the heating element after it has acquired its predetermined temperature.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the contact open due to the heating element rotating the stud.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the insulating block.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the insulating block omitted.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of the invention.

According to the present invention, a sheet metal holder 2D is provided with an open end threaded at 2| and is provided with a plurality of outwardly lanced tangs 22, formed adjacent the threaded end as shown in Fig. 1. The holder is adapted to be passed through an opening in the dashboard of an automobile or other similar support, and a collar or escutcheon plate 23 is threaded onto the open end of the holder so as to lock the holder in place with the dashboard clamped between the tangs 22 and the collar 23.

The other end of the holder is closed by an end wall 24 in which is mounted a stud 25 having a head 25a and a threaded end 25h. The stud is insulated from the end wall by a washer 26 having a projecting neck 26a extending through an aperture in the wall and another washer 21. A contact 28 is positioned in the base of the holder so as to be clamped between the head 25a of the stud 25 and the insulating washer 21. The contact 28 extends into the holder and is shaped for cooperation with the igniting unit to be mounted therein. A nut 29, threaded on the threaded end 25h of the stud, clamps the contact in place and also locks the stud to the end Wall of the holder. The contact is connected to asource of energy by a connector lug 3U which is secured to the stud 25 by a nut 32 and is connected to a conductor 3| from the battery or other source of energy,

The body of the holder intermediate its ends, is provided with a lanced-out contact tang 33 for cooperation with the igniting unit when in energizing position.

An igniting unit 35, according to the present invention, comprises a tubular body 36 of insulating material, such as Bakelite or the like, having a reduced neck 3T at one end thereof. A hollow handle 38 is secured to the body by being threaded over the end of the reduced neck on the tubular body. The hollow handle is provided with a lens 39 for diifusing the light from the heating element, as will be explained.

A friction sleeve 4| is mounted on the igniting unit and is provided with a plurality of tangs 42 struck therefrom and which engage the inner walls of the holder when the igniting unit is placed therein to hold it against accidental removal. The friction sleeve has an outwardly flared end 43 which bears against the escutcheon plate or collar to limit the insertion of the igniting unit in normal inoperative position. The other end of the friction sleeve has an inturned flange 44 which is adapted to slide on the reduced neck portion of the tubular body. A spiral spring 45 is positioned around the reduced tubular portion so as to bear against the inturned ange at one end and the handle of the igniting unit at the other. The spring is so constructed that it will permit manual movement of the igniting unit into closed-circuit position but will normally move the body of the igniting unit into open-circuit or inoperative position upon manual pressure being released therefrom.

The inner end of the tubular body of the igniting unit has a conducting cap 4S of metal or other conducting material secured thereto by a threaded extension 4S, as shown in Fig. 2. A heating coil 5l is adapted to be mounted on the end of the igniting unit.

The heating coil may take any forni and be made or" any suitable material. In the herein preferred form of the invention, however, the heating coil is made of a short length having a relatively low resistance but of such dimensions as to have sufficient volume to hold the heat for a period of time necessary for the heating element to be operative for the purpose of lighting a cigar or cigarette. The heating elements can be made of resistance wire or strip material or of a bimetallic material as desired.

The heating element 5l, as disclosed in Figs. l to 6, is formed as a spiral coil of bimetallic material having one end secured to a contact cupl 52. An insulating block 53 is positioned within the contact cup and is provided with a slot 54 through which the heating element extends and has a central cavity forming an internal spiral wall 55 adapted to bear against the outer surface of the heating coil for substantially its full length so that the heating coil is prevented from radial movement during its expansion. v

As will be seen in Fig. 2, the insulating block does not extend to the outside surface of the heating element so that it would in any way impair the use thereof for lighting cigars and cigarettes. Spaced around the insulating block, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7, are a plurality of apertures 55 through which light, emitted from the heating element when it becomes incandescent, will pass.

The insulating block and the contact cup are secured to the conducting cap by a tubular bushing 51 which is also insulated from the conducting cap and contact cup by insulation 58. A washer 58a, of insulating material, also insulates the Contact cup from the contact cap.

A central stud 59 is rotatably mounted in the bushing and is provided with a shoulder 60 at one end engaging the bushing and a locking collar Si secured at the other end to hold the stud in place against longitudinal movement.

The shouldered end of the stud is slotted as at 62. The movable end of the heating element is positioned in the slot, as seen in Fig. 3, and secured therein by any suitable means. The other end of the stud is slotted as at E3 and has mounted therein a radially extending B4 provided with a Contact at its outer end and cooperating with a contact 6G carried by a contact ring 6! which is clamped between the conducting cap and the tubular body oi insulating material as shown in Fig. 2.

With this construction, the contacts positioned within the body of the igniting unit and are, therefore, protected against dirt and other foreign matter and also remove the temptation presented to the user of the device to attempt to adjust the position of the contact which wouid completely throw the lighter out of adjustment, since the contacts are normally biased into engagement with only a light pressure.

As shown in Fig. 2, the contact cup, conducting cap and insulating washer are provided with openings 69 which are aligned with the openings in the block of insulating material whereby the light can be readily transmitted to the lens in the handle, which lens will glow when the heating element acquires its predetermined heat and incandescence, to indicateto the user that the lighter is ready for use.

In operating the lighter, manual pressure on the handle causes the igniting unit to be moved into enlergizingposition against the actionofspring 45. The contact cup will engage the contact in the base and the conducting cap will engage the lanced-out contact member 33 of the holder to complete a circuit for energizing the heating element. The circuit thus formed is as follows: from the battery through the conductor 3|, through the lug 30, through the stud` 25, contact 28, heating coil 5|, central stud 59, contact arm 64, through the contacts 65, G6, to contact ring 61, through the conducting cap to the contact 33, and to ground.

When the heating element is energized, it will heat up and expand. Since it is held from radial movement, it must slide along the spiral walls ofthe insulating block so that its. extremity Will move longiitudinally to the left, as shown in Fig. 5, causing the stud to rotate. Rotation of the stud will overcome the bias on theswitch contacts 65, 86 and open the circuit, as shown inFig.6.

It will be noted that the leverage system existing between the end of the heating coil and the contact is such that slight movements of the movable end of the heating coil will be amplified so that the movement of the contact will be suflicient to quickly break the circuit. As soon as the heating element acquires its predetermined heat, the lens will glow to indicate to the user that the Adevice is ready for use and the heating coil will have expanded suiliciently to move the contacts into open-circuit position.

If the operator fails to remove theheating element promptly from closed-circuit position, it will be prevented from burning out due to opening of the contacts, and should it be maintained in this position for a time sui'licient to permit the heating coil to cool off and assume its normal position, the contacts will again close and close a circuit to energize the heating element. When the operator removes the manual pressure from the igniting unit, the spring will automatically remove it from circuit-closing position to the normal inoperative position and it is impossible for the circuit to be made again until manually moved again.

In the form of the invention in Fig. 8, the heating element and the supporting means therefor are the same as shown in Fig. 3, with the exception that the insulating block has been omitted. With this arrangement of elements, when'the igniting unit has been moved into energizing position and the heating element becomes heated, the thermostatic material of the heating element will tend to flex andstraighten out and in doing so will cause the central stud to rotate. Rotation of the stud as previously explained will open the circuit to the heating element.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9, the heating element 'Il of resistance material, either wire or strip stock, has one end secured to a Contact cup 12 and the other end secured to a rotatably mounted central stud 13 and being secured in the slotted end I4 of the stud.

A plurality oi tangs 15 are struck up from the bottom of the contact cup and define a spiral adapted to confine the heating coil and prevent it from radial movement. These tangs maybe suitably insulated from. the heating element'in any desired manner. In the preferred form of the invention, a strip of insulation 16, such. as mica, is inserted between the tangs andthe heating element. The openings l1 left in the bottom of the contact cup, due to the striking-up operation forming the tangs, serve very eiectively as openings through which light can pass to the lens in the handle of the igniting unit whenthe heating element has acquired its desired heat. In thisform of the invention, the heating element will expand when heated, and, due to the conning action of the tangs and insulating material, the heating element must be llimited to a longitudinal movement during expansion. This movement is transmitted to the central stud to rotate ,the latter and open the contacts carried on the igniting unit.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the device of the present invention is greatly simplied and is more eiiicient and accurate in its operation. While the herein described heating element has been disclosed as a quick heating unit, it is to be understood that the usual heating element, requiring approximately ten seconds to attain its useful heat, could be used and the same results obtained. Also, the device could take the form of a zigzag curved wire, having one end secured and the other mounted for movement upon expansion of the heating element and moving the contact. The prime factor present is that the heating element serves a double function of a heating element and a heat controller, thus eliminating the diniculties encountered when a separate heat-responsive means is used.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an electric cigar lighter, a heatingelement for igniting cigars or the like; meansv for closing a circuit through the heating element fand means operable by and in response to deforma-A tion of the heating, element, upon being brought to a predetermined heat, for opening the circuit.

2. In an electric cigar lighter, a heating element for igniting cigars or the like; means for closing a circuit through the heating element,=including a normally closed switch; and means for operatively connecting one contact of the switch to the heating element to open the 'sameby and in response to expansion o-f the heating element upon the heating element being brought to a predetermined heat.

3. In an electric cigar lighter, a heating element for igniting cigars or the like; means for closing a circuit through the heating element, including a normally closed switch; and control means for said circuit including leverage mechanism for operatively connecting one contact of the switch to the heating element, said leverage mechanism amplifying movement of the heating element due to the expansion thereof, upon Vbeing brought to a predetermined heat, for moving the contact and opening the circuit.

4. In an electric cigar lighter, a heating element for igniting cigars or the like comprising a spiral coil of bimetallic material; means forl closing the circuit through the heating element; and means operable in response to the expansion of the heating element, upon being brought to a predetermined heat, for opening ythe circuit. V

5. In an electric cigar lighter, afheatingelement for igniting cigars or the like comprising a spiral coil of bimetallic material; means for closing the circuit through the heating element; a block of insulating material having an inner spiral disposed Wall to engage a part of the heating coil to prevent radial expansion of the same; and means operable in response to the expansion of the heating element, upon being brought to a predetermined heat, for opening the circuit.

6. In an electric cigar lighter, a heating element for igniting cigars or the like comprising a spiral coil of resistance wire; means for closing a circuit through the heating element; and means operable in response to the expansion of the heating element, upon being brought to a predetermined heat, for opening the circuit.

'7. In an electric cigar lighter, a heating element for igniting cigars or the like comprising a spiral coil of resistance material; a support for mounting the heating element; means comprising a wall of insulating material held in contact with the heating element and adapted to resist radial expansion of the heating element; means for closing a circuit through the heating element; and means operable in response to the longitudinal expansion of the heating element, upon being brought to a predetermined heat, for opening the circuit.

8. In an electric cigar lighter, a support; a heating element for igniting cigars or the like mounted on the support; means for closing an energizing circuit through the heating element, said heating element comprising a strip of bimetallic material of relatively low resistance adapted to flex as the heating element is quickly brought to the desired heat, and means moved by said heating element upon flexing thereof for opening the energizing circuit.

9. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having one end of the heating element xed thereto; a central stud rotatably mounted on the igniting unit and having the other end of the heating element secured thereto; means for closing the circuit through the heating element; and means operable by the rotation of the stud due to expansion of the heating element, upon the heating element being energized, for opening a circuit to the heating element.

10. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having a heating element secured therein for igniting cigars or the like, one end of the heating element being fixed to the cup and the other end being disposed therein for movement relative to said fixed end; means for closing a circuit through the heating element; and means operable by the relative movement of the movable end of the heating element for opening said circuit when the heating element has reached a predetermined heat.

1l. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having a heating element secured therein for igniting cigars or the like, one end of the heating element being fixed to the cup and the other end disposed for relative movement; a plurality of tongues lanced inwardly from the contact cup and disposed adjacent the heating element to prevent lateral movement of the heating element; means for insulating the tongues from the heating element; means for closing a circuit through the heating element; and means operable by the relative movement of the movable end of the heating element for opening said circuit when the heating element has reached a predetermined heat.

12. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having a heating element secured therein for igniting cigars or the like, one end of the heating element being iixed to the cup and the other end disposed for relative movement; a plurality of tongues lanced inwardly from the contact cup and disposed adjacent the heating element to prevent lateral expansion movement of the heating element; means for insulating the tongues from the heating element; means for closing a circuit through the heating element; and means operable by the relative movement of the movable end of the heating element for opening said circuit when the heating element has reached a predetermined heat, the lanced-out tongues forming apertures in the cup whereby the light emitted from the incandescent heating element is transmitted through the igniting unit.

13. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like; means for normally urging the igniting unit into open-circuit position; manually operable means for moving the igniting unit into closed-circuit position; means for indicating that the heating element has attained its predetermined degree of incandescence; and means operable by and in response to the expansion of the heating element for opening the circuit to the heating element independently of said manual means.

i4. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having one end of the heating element xed thereto; a central stud rotatably mounted on the igniting unit and having the other end of the heating element secured thereto; means for closing the circuit through the heating element; and means including a leverage system operable by the rotation of the stud due to expansion of the heating element, upon the heating element being energized, for opening a circuit to the heating element.

l5. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like and having one end disposed thereon for relative movement; and switch means mounted within the igniting unit and connected to the movable end of the heating element for movement thereby for opening the circuit to the heating element when the heating element has acquired its predetermined heat and has expanded accordingly.

16. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the igniting device for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like and having one end disposed thereon for relative movement; and a contact within the igniting unit connected to the movable end of the heating element for movement thereby and cooperating with another contact mounted Within the igniting unit to close the circuit for the heating element and to open the circuit when the heating element has attained its desired heat and expansion.

17. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a heating element mounted on the igniting unit for igniting cigars or the like; arotatable stud mounted on the igniting unit and connected to the movable end of the heating element; an arm connected to the other end of the movable stud and having a contact thereon; and a cooperating contact carried by a ring secured to the igniting unit so as to be in the circuit of the heating element, said elements being constructed and arranged so that, upon heating of the heating element to the desired temperature, the stud will be rotated and the arm move the contact to open the circuit to the heating element.

18. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit, having a conducting cap thereon, mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a contact cup mounted on the igniting unit and having a heating element secured therein for igniting cigars or the like, one end of the heating element being fixed to the cup and the other end being disposed therein for relative movement; a tubular bushing for securing the Contact cup to the conducting cap, said bushing being electrically insulated therefrom; a pair of contacts in the energizing circuit for the heating element mounted Within the igniting unit; and means connected to the movable end of the heating element and extending through the tubular bushing and connected to one of the contacts for moving the same When the heating element has attained a predetermined temperature.

HERBERT G. LEHMANN. 

